Flat Coat Goldendoodle Guide
Flat Coat Goldendoodle Puppy, also known as Straight Hair Goldendoodles, have become a popular dog type because many dog enthusiasts like the flat coat or straight hair that resembles a Golden Retriever.
It makes these furry friends look more like teddy bears. If you are looking for a friendly temperament, non-shedding, and hypoallergenic dog, this is one of the best options.
If you want a flat coat Goldendoodle, you can consider an F2 Generation Goldendoodle or F1 Generation Goldendoodle because the two contain 50% Golden Retriever genes. With this, you will maximize your chances of selecting a Goldendoodle with a flat coat.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about a flat Coat Goldendoodle. Keep reading to learn more.
How Does A Goldendoodle Get A Flat Coat?
So, how will your Goldendoodle end up with a straight or flat coat? A gene called as Cu locus (AKA Curly Coat Gene) usually determines if a dog will have curly hair. The absence of this gene means that your Goldendoodle will have straight hair or a flat coat.
The gene usually prevents keratin from binding together structural components, which leads to a curly coat.
Therefore, if your Goldendoodle does not have keratin in its genetic structure, it will have a straight or flat coat. A DNA test can help you determine whether or not your furry friend has the presence of this gene.
Generally, most Goldendoodles tend to have a wavy coat and will not have flat or straight coats. They are a hybrid dog breed of the Poodle and the Golden Retriever and usually get a mix of the Cu Locus gene.
Which Generation Of The Goldendoodle Has A Flat Coat?
If you are looking for a flat or straight coat Goldendoodle, then you need to consider a 1st generation Goldendoodle or F1 Goldendoodle.
There are also high chances of getting straight hair or flat coat Goldendoodle if they are 2nd generation Goldendoodle or F2 Goldendoodle.
Therefore, you should pick a Goldendoodle that is 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever in order to increase your chances of a flat coat Goldendoodle.
Because most Goldendoodles are backcrossed bred with a Poodle to become non-shedding and more hypoallergenic, you will not need backcrossed Goldendoodles.
If you want straight hair or a flat coat Goldendoodle, then you will need more Golden Retriever genetics.
Here are some of the popular Goldendoodle generations and what percent the genetics should be:
- F1B Goldendoodle: 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle. The coats are typically wavy to curly.
- F1 Goldendoodle: 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. The highest chance of a flat coat Goldendoodle
- F1BB Goldendoodle: 12.5% Goldendoodle and 87.5% Poodle. The coats are typically curly.
- F2B Goldendoodle: 37.5% Golden Retriever and 62.5% Poodle. The coats are typically wavy to curly.
- F2 Goldendoodle: 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. The highest chance of straight hair or flat coat Goldendoodle
- F2BB Goldendoodle: 18.75% Golden Retriever and 81.25% Poodle. The coats are typically curly.
- Multi-generation Goldendoodle or F3 Goldendoodle: Various generations of Goldendoodles breeding typically back crossbreeding to the Standard Poodle. The coats are typically wavy to curly.
To maximize your chances of having a flat coat Goldendoodle, you will need to get a Goldendoodle that is at least 50% Golden Retriever. You can also try to find a dog breeder that backcrosses Goldendoodles with Golden Retrievers.
Goldendoodle Coat Changes
Goldendoodle puppies also change their coats while reaching adulthood. They will mostly start shedding their coats at the age of 5 to 7 months and transition into adult coats.
The transition can happen gradually over a few months or suddenly. In addition, darker-colored Goldendoodle puppies may also fade their color and become lighter as they mature.
Generally, the difference between adult and puppy coats is mostly textural. While a puppy coat is usually thinner and softer, an adult Goldendoodle coat often has a thicker and stiffer texture. Some puppies may have curlier and straighter hair and grow into a different coat type once they are adults.
Downsides Of A Flat Coat Goldendoodle
Although getting a flat coat Goldendoodle comes with several benefits, it also has a few downsides compared to a wavy to curly-haired Goldendoodle.
Less Hypoallergenic
Generally, flat coat Goldendoodles tend to be less hypoallergenic. This is because they have more Golden Retriever genetics but less Poodle genetics.
The hypoallergenic feature usually comes from the non-shedding and curly coat features. It is created because curly dog hair does not allow dander and various protein allergens to stick to the dog’s skin.
Flat Coat Goldendoodles Tend To Shed
Flat Coat Goldendoodles tend to shed a lot more than the wavy or curly-haired Goldendoodle puppies. This is because flatter coats have less Poodle genetics, thus making the puppy have a curlier coat.
If you consider bringing home a flat coat Goldendoodle, be prepared to have hair than will shed on your floor. However, Golden Retrievers tend to shed more than the flat coat Goldendoodles.
Advantages Of A Flat Coat Goldendoodle
Here are some of the advantages that come with a flat coat Goldendoodle.
Less Competitive Litter Selection
Since many upcoming Goldendoodle owners want wavy and curly coats, it is less important for you to have the first few picks of any litter. There are chances that any puppy with straight hair or a flat coat will be passed up until it is your turn.
Lower Price
The F2 and F1 generations produce the most Goldendoodles with flat coats or straight hair. Besides, they tend to be the cheapest generations available. Since many prospective dog owners prefer allergy-friendly curly coats, puppies with flat coats may sometimes be discounted.
Less Daily Grooming
Keeping a flat coat or straight hair Goldendoodle looking good and healthy will take less effort and time. Straight hair is regarded as one of the easiest to manage. Therefore, you will not have to spend a lot of time grooming your furry friend.
Less Poodle-Like Appearance
Many dog enthusiasts prefer the original Golden Retriever appearance that flat coat Goldendoodles often have. These puppies still from less shedding and hybrid vigor but still look like their purebred Golden Retriever.
Less Frequent Haircuts
The silver lining to a Goldendoodle shedding means that they will require haircuts less frequently. It is less prone to matting and does not knot as easily as curly hair. Less frequent haircuts mean that you will be able to save some money.
Do Goldendoodles Get Curlier With Age?
Depending on the pet’s specific genes, some Goldendoodles usually get curlier as they grow old. Their coat texture may change as that Poodle and Golden Retriever gene combination battle it out in the dog.
How Maintenance And Grooming Differs
There is a difference in the maintenance and grooming requirements of straight and curly coat Goldendoodles.
Curly Goldendoodle Coat
The curly-haired Goldendoodle has the densest hair type. A curly coat develops when both the parents have the curly gene. These Goldendoodles take more on the Poodle side of their lineage.
Because of the denseness of a curly-haired Goldendoodle, it’s impossible to gauge how long their fur grows, and like their wavy-haired sibling, their hair grows visually shorter around their face. However, in some cases, curly-haired Goldendoodle can develop an “afro” around their face when brushed out.
They are the non-shedding ones of the bunch and are more or less allergy-friendly; this is a plus for all sensitive dog lovers since curly-haired Goldendoodle can have really kinky curls or big barrel curls. Owners who live by the beach should be wary of sand getting caught in the curly fur of this dog.
In terms of grooming, regular brushing once or twice a week will prevent knotting, while hair trimming twice or thrice a year will be all it needs.
Wavy Coat
The shaggy or wavy coat is the most common coat among the Goldendoodles. It has a shaggy appearance and requires the least maintenance of the three types of coats.
To keep this coat in good health and tangle-free, you will have to brush your furry friend regularly to get rid of loose hair and mats.
Flat Coats
The straight-coated or flat-coated Goldendoodles are often mistaken for Golden Retrievers. You will see the flat coat in F2 and F2B generation Goldendoodles and very rarely in F1 and F1B dogs.
Flat coat Goldendoodles do not have the furnishings of their curly-coated counterparts. However, they tend to shed a lot more. The flat coat is easy to maintain and does not tend to mat. This makes it very popular with dog owners who may not want to take a lot of time grooming their furry friends.
You will need to brush your pet with a slicker or pin brush several times a week and wipe it over with a grooming mitt. This will ensure that their coat looks good throughout.
Unlike those with curly coats, leaves and brambles are less likely to get tangled in the pet’s coat. Besides, these adorable furry friends do not have hairy feet that you will have to inspect and comb every day. You should never have a flat coat Goldendoodle clipped or shaved.
Your flat coat Goldendoodle will require a bath only when it develops the unpleasant doggy odor that most pets develop after a while. Also, a bath will be necessary if your furry friend decides to roll in something unspeakably nasty.
Final Thoughts
That concludes our Goldendoodle guide, and we hope that you learned a lot from it. Just remember the basics of reading the hair on the sides of the mouth of a Goldendoodle puppy, and you will know what strain of mixed-breed you have as it enters adolescence.
Flat-coat Goldendoodles will be more prone to shedding fur, sure, but they make up for it by needing less maintenance than their cousins. In contrast to the teddy bear likeness of a curly or wavy-haired Goldendoodle, the flat-coat Goldendoodle will have smoother and shaggier fur, which is also cute in itself.
Whatever the genetic strain of the Goldendoodle, the owner must keep in mind that whether or not their dog looks like a bear, in the end, Goldendoodles will love their owners just the same.
And this adorable breed definitely deserves to be loved back.
